I’ve now been Town chairman for several weeks and I’d firstly like to pay tribute to every chairman that has gone before me.

The board is a group of people from different backgrounds who have come together for the love of Workington Town and I’d therefore like to thank my fellow directors for all of their hard work this and every season.
2018 was a roller coaster of a year with the club so close to promotion but so far.

This year we aim to go one better and get back to where we belong in the Championship. Off the field we are making great strides with our communication with fans and our social media approach. Our club shop and online shop at www.townshop.co.uk is going extremely well and raising much needed revenue for the club.

We have a fantastic team of volunteers, coaching staff, players and fans who are so passionate for Workington Town. My New Year’s wish is that in 2019 every fan brings a marra and let’s get our crowds up so we can invest in the team throughout the long season.. This is the fan’s club and we are only custodians of it.

I can pledge that the board will only do what is best for the club and we will never put the club in peril by overstretching. Part of everyone's role in the rugby league community is to promote our amazing sport but also to show kids that there is a pathway from the community game right through to the semi-professional clubs.

At Town we continued to build positive relationships with our community clubs and the wider community in 2018 and 2019 will be no different.

We’ve invited clubs to train with us throughout last season. At the moment we have local community players training with us to try and earn a pro contract and it is always our aim to try and attract the best talent from the County.

I’d like to wish fans of all other rugby league clubs the best for 2019. Most importantly the board, players and staff of Workington Town would like to wish all of our fans and your readers a very happy, prosperous and healthy New Year. We look forward to seeing even more of you at Derwent Park in 2019 and here’s to a successful season on and off the pitch.